A Step-by-Step Guide to Exploratory Factor Analysis with Stata

This is a concise, easy to use, step-by-step guide for applied researchers conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using Stata.

In this book, Dr. Watkins systematically reviews each decision step in EFA with screen shots of Stata code and recommends evidence-based best practice procedures. This is an eminently applied, practical approach with few or no formulas and is aimed at readers with little to no mathematical background. Dr. Watkins maintains an accessible tone throughout and uses minimal jargon and formula to help facilitate grasp of the key issues users will face when applying EFA, along with how to implement, interpret, and report results. Copious scholarly references and quotations are included to support the reader in responding to editorial reviews.

This is a valuable resource for upper level undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as for more experienced researchers undertaking multivariate or structure equation modeling courses across the behavioral, medical, and social sciences.

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Data

3. Stata Software

4. Importing and Saving Data

5. Decision Steps in Exploratory Factor Analysis

6. Step 1: Variables to Include

7. Step 2: Participants

8. Step 3: Data Screening

9. Step 4: Is Exploratory Factor Analysis Appropriate?

10. Step 5: Factor Analysis Model

11. Step 6: Factor Extraction Method

12. Step 7: How many Factors to Retain

13. Step 8: Rotate Factors

14. Step 9: Interpret Exploratory Factor Analysis Results

15. Step 10: Report Exploratory Factor Analysis Results

16. Exploratory Factor Analysis with Categorical Variables

17. Higher-Order and Bifactor Models

18. Exploratory versus Confirmatory Factor Analysis

19. Practice Exercises

References and Resources

Marley W. Watkins earned a PhD in Educational Psychology and Measurements with a specialty in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. He is currently Research Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University, USA, and has authored more than 200 articles, books, and chapters and presented more than 150 papers at professional conferences.